Bay Area Christmas🎄 A Fairytale World in California

This Christmas break, we planned a Tesla road trip. Starting from San Jose, it took just an hour and a half to reach our first stop: the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea 🏡✨. One of the most iconic must-visit spots along California’s Highway 1, it’s known as an artist’s paradise—like California’s very own Songzhuang or 798 Art Zone! Carmel is a small town centered around its main street, Ocean Avenue, lined with vintage boutiques, art galleries, libraries, restaurants, concept stores, and grocery shops. It’s incredibly fun to explore. During Christmas, every corner looks like a movie poster or a scene straight out of Animal Crossing! 🎬🎅 🅿️ Parking: We found street parking with a 2-hour limit—just enough time to stroll around and enjoy lunch. 📸 Must-Visit Spots: ✅ The Tuck Box – A cottage straight out of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ✅ Cafe Dal Mare – Cozy Italian coffee shop ✅ Carmel Bakery – Century-old bakery (we grabbed bread and coffee here, though the bread was a bit too sweet!) ✅ Body Frenzy – Pink cottage selling handmade soaps ✅ Cottage of Sweets – Chocolate and candy store ✅ Secret Garden – Literary bookstore with a hidden garden in the back ✅ Aaron Chang Ocean Art Gallery – Beautiful art space; loved the red door and succulents outside—perfect for photos and soaking in the artsy vibe! ✅ Hansel & Gretel – Inspired by the fairytale Hansel and Gretel ❗️ After exploring the town, we headed to Carmel Beach 🏖️—it’s right at the end of the street! The walk is easy and scenic, great for taking photos without getting tired. Perfect for those who prefer a relaxed pace. #USA #BayArea #CarmelByTheSea #Christmas #BayAreaLife #ExploreWithMe